title: Effects of passive smoking on adult nasal respiratory mucosa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to investigate nasal mucosal changes in response to passive exposure to cigarette smoke.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 20 women aged 35-51 years who were scheduled for non-rhinological surgical procedures, and who had at least 10 years' prolonged passive exposure to household cigarette smoke. During surgery, two 1-mm3 biopsies of nasal mucosa were taken from the lower border of the inferior turbinate. Specimens were processed and examined with light and transmission electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Examination of the nasal mucosa showed several histopathological changes. The severity of structural changes increased with duration of smoke exposure. No allergic or neoplastic changes were seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Passive exposure to cigarette smoke has a deleterious effect on the nasal respiratory mucosa. Prolonged passive smoke exposure may also induce other, significant changes not detected in the present study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Alexandria Medical School, Egypt.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elwany
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Talaat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution